Front or rear window construction for motor buses or the like



June 20, 1939. v s. E. BLEssIN FRONT 0R REAR WINDOW CONSTRUCTION FOR MOTOR BUSES OR THE LIKE Filed Oct. 28, 1957 EJBEYEFRIED BELEsslN.

Zum mm ATTORN EYS Patented June 20, 1939 PATENT OFFICE FRONT OR REAR WINDOW CONSTRUCTION FOR MOTOR BUSES OR THE LIKE Siegfried E. Blessin, Short Hills,

to The Nationalv Lock Washer Company,

N. J., assignor New- ark, N. J., a corporation'of New Jersey Application October 28, 1937,'Serial No. 171,407

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improvement in window construction for motor buses or the like, particularly the front window, customarily called a windshield, and the rear window, l

the front and rear Windows being similar in construction, except that the shape of the window openings may vary to suit the particular design of the bus, and both the front and rear window ,constructions may consist of either a single window or double windows, the latter'being separated by a post of suitablewldth.

An object of the invention is to provide a window construction of this characte-r which will require no special structure orshape in the wall of the window opening, the surface of the wall being a plain flat one which makes for economical and convenient construction of the bus. Another object is to provide a window construction which may be easily installed to provide a window completely sealed a'gainst air and water and which will compensate for limited variations in the size of the window opening, due to manufacturing tolerances. A further object is to provide a Window construction in which the window frame will be permanently connected to the Window opening to provide a sealed air and water tight connection,

and which will permit of the quick and convenient installation and removal of the glass pane by means of a removable retainingmember, the retaining member being such as to produce an air and water tight sealing relation between the glass pane and the frame and between the retainlng member and the frame.

A furtherv object is to provide a window construction which will provide a floating support be.- tween the window opening and the glass pane, to the end that the normal weaving and twisting action, which occurs in'a bus body and which continually distorts the window openinggiwill be absorbed in the window frame Without transmission to the pane, so that fracture of the glass due to this cause is overcome.

Another object is to provide a Window construction in which the frame and retaining member will compensate for variations and irregularities in the thickness of the glass pane while at the same time providing an adequate seal and clearance for twisting and Weaving of the frame.

Another object is to provide a window construction adapted for the installation of either a single sash ora double sash, the latter being such that an effectually sealeddead air space will be maintained between the two sashes.

With the above andother objects in view, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, and this embodiment will be hereinafter mo-re fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing a portion of the rear end of a bus having a window construction according to the invention embodied therein.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary inside elevation of the retainingmeans for securing the glass pane in the window frame.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary inside elevation of the window frame member.

. Fig. 5 is a Vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. j

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View showing the window frame inserted in the window opening, and before attachment of the metal binder member, which holds the assembly in place, the glass pane and the retaining member being removed.

Fig. 'll is a similar view showing the metal binder member secured to the window opening, and showing the glass pane in place Within the frame, the

" retaining member being removed.

-Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the complete installation with the retaining member secured in place.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, reduced, showing a double, sash according to the invention.

View taken along Similar reference characters'indicate correl sponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing the bus I0 is provided with one or more window openings Il of suitable shape, the illustrated openings at the rear of the bus being rounded -and converging at their outer ends, while the front windshield window openings are preferably rectangular in shape. The window frame members which are preferably formed of extruded aluminum alloy, and rubber inserts, are formed by suitable bending tools into the shape of the window opening and may consistof one or more pieces, the frame illustrated consisting of two pieces which are welded together at the inner corners to thus provide a one piece frame structure which may be inserted into the opening. The glass pane retaining member is also similarly formed in one piece. The metal binder which is drawn toward the wall of the window opening when it is being secured in place is preferably formed of a plurality of pieces, or a single piecev having a split, to permit of the necessary expan-A sion toward the wall of the window opening.

i the base of a recess for a resilient glass pane. re-

ceiving strip I5, preferably of rubber, the upper end of thisrecess consisting of an inwardly projecting dovetail shoulder I6 at the inner edge of the frame member. The strip I5 is provided with a right angular glass 'pane receiving co ner recess I1, the vertical wall of which is provi ed at its upper end with a projecting lip I8, -andwhich upon compression seals against the surface of the glass pane while providing a clearance space between the glass and the vertical wall of the recess below said seal. The strip,l I5 vis retained in the recess-by interlocking engagement of the dovetail shoulder I6 with a correspondingly shaped'recess I9 in the strip, and by an upwardly projecting rib 2U provided upon the upper surface of the flange I3, which engages a pocket 2l in the under-surface of the strip I5, this pocket being deeper than the engagement of the rib therein, and the undersurface of the strip I5 inwardly of the rib being` upwardly spaced from the upper surface of the ange I3, as at 22. This arrangement is such as to permit considerable relativemovement of the glass pane toward the frame due to weaving, vibration, or they like, the clearances beneath the surface 22 and in the pocket 2| permitting the rubber strip I to move in relation to the flange I3 and rib 20.

The frame `I3 is provided at its lower end .with an inwardly extending right angular base flange 23 having a dovetail pocket 24 in its under surface,

and in which pocket there is interlockingly engaged a dovetail rib 25 formed upon the upper surface of the resilient mounting strip 26, preferably rubber. wardly spaced relation to the rib 25 with an upwardly extending flange 21 which engages the front wall of the base flange 23 of the frame member, the front surface of this flange 2'I being inwardly recessed as at 28, and provided at its upper edge with a forwardly projecting lip 29, for

. sealing cooperation with the retaining member as will hereinafter more fully appear. The flanges I3 and 23l of the frame member being at right angles to the vertical wall both reinforce the frame member and enable it to be bent into the desired shape of the window opening.

The strip 26 is provided with a forwardly extending leg 30 which is downwardly offset Vfrom the upper surface of the strip, and this leg is provided in its under surface with a recess 3 I, having at its forward end a downwardly pr jecting lip 32 and at its rearward end a rounded crum rib 33 which is disposed substantially midway between the front and 'rear extremities of the mounting strip. The rearward surface of the rounded fulcrum rib extends in upwardly inclined relation to form a pocket 34, into which the end of the forwardly and upwardly` curled rear wall portion 35 of the mounting strip extends, this face projecting with respect to the rear surface This strip is provided in for.`

of the frame I2 in the normal undistorted condi-A tion as s hown in Fig. The lip 32 projects slight-A ly below the plane ofthe rounded fulcruni rib 33 and the lower shoe surface of the tapered portion 35 projects slightly below the plane of the rib 32. v l

When the frame member is inserted in the Window opening, as shown in Fig. 6,--it being understood that the frame is slid into the opening from the left or front side of the opening-the rounded shoe portion 35 rst engages the opening and curls into'the recess 34, the inclined wall of the recess 34 next engages so that the rounded fulcrum rib 33-which is preferably designed so that it substantially its the window opening without compression-is guided into the opening, and lastly the lip 32 engages the opening. Due to the normal projection of the lip 32 below the plane of the rounded rib 33 the leg 30 is caused vedge is normally spaced from the inner end of the leg 30 and the lower end of its forward flange is normally spaced from the Wall of the window opening. The strip is secured by screws 3T engaged in countersunk holes 38 in the strip extending through holes 39 in the leg 30 ofthe mounting strip and screwed into threadedholes 40 in the wall of the window opening. By tightening down this strip the leg 30 of the mounting strip is brought into parallel relation with thel opening and the lip 32 is compressed into sealing relation between the lower edge of the strip and the wall of the window opening, as shown in Fig. 7.

The glass pane 4I is set into the recess I'I and the compensating action of the sealing strips is such, as will hereinafter more fully appear, that 'the thickness of this glass may, within reasonable limits, be either greater or less than the lateral depth of the recess I I.'

The retaining member 42 is provided with a stiil'ening flange 43 which in the engaged position projects into the space between the flange I3 and the base 23 of the frame member. 'Ihis flange provides a righ angular reinforcement which enables the retaining member to be bent into the desired shape of the window opening. The 'retaining member is provided below the ange 43 with a downwardly extending portion 44 which in the engaged position is opposed to the recess 28 and engages within this recess upon compression of the lip 29 of the rubber mounting strip. Upon its inner surface and spaced from its upper end there is provided a dovetailV recess 45 within which is interlockingly engaged the dovetail rib 46 of a resilient sealing strip 41, preferably rubber, which extends above and below the dovetail rib 46 and has its inner face recessed, as at 48, to provide projecting lips 49 and 50 at the upper and lower edges. The surface of the retaining member 42 below the dovetail recess 45 and opposed to the lower portion to the strip 41 is provided a recess 5I into which the lower portion of said strip moves when the binding member is in place, as shown in Fig. 8. The retaining member 42 is secured by means ofv screws 52 engaged in countersunk holes 52 in the retaining member frame member.

The lip 49 engages the surface of the glass pane and the lip 50 engages the forward surface of the rubber strip I5 and upon tightening of the retaining member forms a seal in relation to both the pane and the rubber strip, the recessed surface 48 providing in cooperation with the recessed surface of the strip I5 for relative weaving or angular movement between the frame and the pane, and also for considerable variation in the thickness of the glass. At the same time the tightening of the retaining member compresses the flange `2`I to form a seal between the retaining member and the interior of the frame member.

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated a double sash Window construction according to the invention. 'I'he Window opening is approximately twice the width of the window opening of the single sash construction, and a pair of window assemblies, exactly like those of the single sash construction, are mounted therein in reversely opposed relation to each other, so that the convexly rounded rearward surfaces of the rear wall portions 35 of the resilient mounting strips contact each other under pressure, and thus form a cushion separatorl between the two frame members to keep them spaced apart and also effectually ,seal the dead air space between the two sashes. As both retaining members-42 are outwardly disposed either or both of the glass panes may be removed when desired simply by removing the retaining members. l

The window construction according to the invention provides a full floating support for the glass pane in which all of the metal parts, as well as the glass pane, are effectually insulated from each other by resilient rubber stripping. At the same time the interior of the frame as well as the -ISIS inside of the bus is completely sealed against the entrance of air or water. The clearances provided by the rubber stripping with respect to the glass pane permit it to have considerable movement either in up and down or angular direction, without impairing the sealed relation. Glass panesA of different thickness may be mounted in thesame frame and variation in the thickness of the glass, which is sometimes wider at one portion than another, is compensated for. The pocket 34 and the curled wall 35V of the mounting strip provides a resilient cellular cushiondirectly between the frame and the window opening, while the fulcrum :rib 33 prevents distortion` of this cellular cushion from disturbing the securing and sealing leg 30. At the same time movement imparted to the binding strip 36 through .variations in the size of the opening between its ends will be compensated for, and also variations in the ysurface of the window opening from front to rear, such as slight inclination from the normal flat position, will be compensated for.

I have illustrated and described a. preferred and y satisfactory embodiment of the invention, but'it will be understood that changes may be made ient mounting strip secured to said framemember including a cushion portion adapted to engage said frame receiving surface to provide va glass pane supporting frame member, a resily a resilient spacer between said surface and vframe and an attaching portion projecting withrespect to said'cushion portion and engaged at its under surface with said frame receiving surface, binder means engaged with the upper surface of said attaching portion in opposed relation to said' frame receiving surface, and means for securing said binder means to said frame receiving surface and compressing said attaching portion therebetween.

2. In a window construction for use in a window opening having a frame receiving surface, a glass pane supporting frame membena resilient mounting strip secured to said frame mem'- ber including a cushion portion disposed in planular alignment with said frame and an attaching portion projecting with resp'ect to said cushion portion out of ,the plane of said frame member, said cushion portion and said attaching portion adapted to directly engage said frame receiving'surface at their under surfaces', binder means engaged with the upper surface of said attaching portion in opposed 'relation to said frame receiving surface, and means for securing said binder means to said frame receiving surface and compressing said attaching portion therebetween.

3. In a window construction for use in a window opening having a frame receiving surface, a glasspane supporting frame member, a resilient mounting strip secured to said frame member-including a cushion portion adapted to ensaid'cushion portion being recessed at its under surface, binder means engaged with the upper surface of said attaching portion in opposed' relation to said frame receiving surface, and means for securing said binder means to said frame receiving' surface and compressing said attaching portion therebetween.- v

4. In a window construction for use in a window opening having a framev receiving' surface, a glass pane supporting frame ,.member, a resilient mounting strip secured to said frame member including a cushion portion adapted? to vengage said frame receiving surface to provide a resilient spacer between said surface and frame and an attaching portion projecting `with respect to said cushion portion and engaged at its under surface with said frame receiving surface, said attaching portion being recessed at its under side, binder means engaged with the `upper surface ofv said attaching portion in opposed-relation to'said frame receiving surface, and means for securing said binder means to said frame receiving surfaceand compressing said attaching portion therebetween.

5. In' a windowconstructio'n foruse in a window opening having aframe receiving surface, a glass Vpane supporting` frame member, a resilient mounting strip secured to said frame member including a cushion portion adapted to engage said frame receiving surface 'to provide a resilient spacer between said surface and frame and an attaching portion projecting with respect to said cushion portion and engaged at its under surface with said frame receiving surface, binder means engaged with"the upper surface of said attaching portion in opposed relation to said frame receiving surface, and means for securing spect to said cushion portion and engaged at its under surface with said frame receiving surface, said mounting strip having a fulcrum rib at its under side dividing said cushion portion and said attaching portion, binder means engaged with 4the upper surface of said attaching portion in ope posed relation to said frame receiving surface and means for securing said binder means to said frame receiving surface and compressing said attaching portion therebetween.

'7. In a window construction for use in a window opening having a frame receiving surface, a glass pane supporting frame member, a resilient mounting strip secured to said frame member including a cushion portion adapted to engage said frame receiving surface to provide a resilient'spacer between s aid surface and frame and an attaching portion projecting with respect to said cushion portion, said mounting strip having a fulcrum rib at its under side dividing said cushion portion and said attaching portion, a sealing lip on said attaching' portion in spaced relatio to said fulcrum rib, and a sealing shoe on sai cushion portion in lspaced relation to said fulcrum rib, binder means engaged over said projectingportion, and means for securing said binder means to said frame receiving surface.

8. In a window construction foruse in a window opening having a, frame receiving surface, a glass pane supporting frame member, a resilient mounting strip secured to said frame member including a cushion portion adapted to engage said frame y, receiving surface to provide a resilient spacer betweenl said surface and frame and an attaching portion projecting with respect to said cushion portion, said mounting strip having a fulcrum rib at its under side dividing said cushion portion and said attaching portion, a sealing lip on said attaching portion in spaced relation to said fulcrum rib and projecting below the plane of said rib, and-a sealing shoe on said cushion portion in spaced relation to said fulcrum rib, binder -means engaged over said projecting portion, and

means for securing said binder means to said frame receiving surface.

9. In a window construction for use in a window opening having a frame receiving surface, a glass pane supporting frame member, a resilient mounting strip secured to said frame member including a cushion portion adapted to engage said frame receiving surface to provide a resilient spacer between said surface and frame and an attaching portion projecting with respect to said cushion portion, said mounting strip having a fulcrum rib at its under side dividing said cushion portion and said attaching portion, a sealing lip on said attaching portion in spaced relation to said fulcrum rib, and a sealing shoe on said cushionportlon in spaced relation to said fulcrum rib, and projecting below the plane of said rib, binder means engaged over said projecting portion, and meansfor securing said binder means to said frame receiving surface.

10. In a window construction for use in a window opening having a frame receiving surface, a glass pane supporting frame member, a resilient mounting strip secured tosaid frame member including a cushion portion adapted to engage said frame receiving surface to provide a resilient spacer between said surface and frame and an attaching/portion projecting with respect to said cushion portion, said cushion portion having a recess at its under side, and a curled extension integral with said cushion portion extending into raid recess and disposed in opposed direction to the direction of engagement of said mounting strip with said frame receiving surface, binder means engaged over said attaching portion, and means for securing said binder means to said frame receiving surface. y

11. In a Window construction for use in a window opening having a frame receiving surface, a glass pane supporting frame member having an open side for receiving a glass pane,'a resilient mounting strip secured to said frame member including a cushion portion adapted to engage said frame receiving surface, a glass pane retaining member secured over the open side of said frame member, sealing means integral with said mounting strip engaged between said frame member and said retaining means in the secured relation of the latter, and means for securing said mounting strip to said frame receiving surface.

12. In a window construction for use in awindow opening having a frame receiving surface;

a glass pane supporting frame member, a resilient sealing strip secured to said frame member having an open side for receiving a glass pane, a resilient mounting strip secured to said frame member including a cushion portion adapted to engage said frame receiving surface, a glass pane retaining member secured over said frame member, a resilient sealing strip secured to the inner side of said retaining member adapted to engage over the open side of said sealing strip'of said frame member, sealing means integral with said mounting strip engaged between said frame member and said retaining means in the secured relation of the latter, and means for securing said mounting strip to said frame ,receiving surface.

SIEGFRIED' E. BLESSIN. 

